There’s more to know about the microwave than which buttons to press. Sure, it’s handy for leftovers or a quick snack for the kids, but you can’t just pop anything into the insta-oven.

Hazards of Microwaving
Here’s an oldie: Never stand directly in front of the microwave when something’s cooking. My dad always said we’d get radiated. The FDA, however, says the microwave actually emits very low levels of radiation and is safe for everyday use. If you’ve got an older model with damaged doors and loose latches, it could leak more. Replace that baby immediately — newer ones are more energy-efficient, anyway. And while the levels of radiation may be minimal, you still don’t need to stand directly in front of the microwave while something heats up. Get back to cooking and prepping other stuff! That’s the beauty of the microwave…

The Right Containers & Covers
Rule #1: No metals in the microwave ever! Unless you want to see sparks, that is. Certain plastics shouldn’t be in there either. Check the number on the bottom of the containers to see if yours is microwave-safe. Numbers to avoid are #6, #3 and #7 as they’re more likely to leach chemicals into your foods. (And definitely don’t heat acidic foods — tomato sauce especially — in plastic containers.)

Add to that list: plastic storage bags, brown paper or plastic grocery bags, newspapers or aluminum foil (remember, foil is a metal). Wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper and microwave-safe paper towels are better choices. Plastic wrap can melt or warp and get into your food — gross! Covering food when microwaving helps keep in moisture and heat evenly. I like to use a glass pot lid to cover my food instead of wasting plastic or paper.

Defrosting & Cooking
If you’re defrosting food in the microwave, remove the packaging — especially the foam trays. They’re not heat stable at high temperatures and can melt.

We’ve all defrosted or reheated food in the microwave — the plate is hot but the food is cold! That’s because there is an uneven distribution of heat. You need to rotate or stir food halfway through the cooking or defrosting process. Once the beep says your food is done, wait a couple minutes to let the heat distribute throughout the food.

Your Best Option
Most experts consider microwaving a safe cooking choice, but it’s still unclear how much exposure might cause harm or how it affects the food. If you’re not in a rush, the stove top and conventional oven are still classic options.

Want to know more about cooking meat in the microwave? This USDA article has good info.